​Shareholder-owned electric power companies are highly regulated at the federal and state levels. At the federal level, EEI works to ensure favorable regulatory outcomes at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Energy (DOE), and other federal agencies.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FERC is the federal agency that regulates electricity transmission and wholesale electricity sales in interstate commerce. FERC has authority to regulate the prices, terms, and conditions of wholesale power sales and transmission services. FERC also implements the laws of Congress through orders and rulemakings on electricity policy.

Ensuring the Reliability of the Interstate Transmission System

FERC has oversight authority for the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), an independent, self-regulating entity that enforces mandatory electric reliability rules on all users, owners, and operators of the nation’s transmission system. These reliability rules require otherwise unregulated utilities, such as electric cooperatives and government-owned utilities, to comply with mandatory standards.

In July 2006, FERC certified the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) as the ERO. In March 2007, FERC approved 83 NERC Reliability Standards, which became the first set of legally enforceable standards for the U.S. bulk power system, effective June 4, 2007.

FERC also has limited backstop authority to site electric transmission facilities located in “national interest electric transmission corridors” if states cannot or will not act. DOE must identify such corridors, which may include any geographic area experiencing electric transmission capacity constraints or congestion.

Preventing Market Manipulation

One of FERC’s key priorities is to help assure that energy markets operate fairly. FERC has authority to investigate and prosecute allegations of manipulation in the energy markets. FERC also responds to complaints and reports of market activities or transactions that may be considered market manipulation, an abuse of an affiliate relationship, a tariff violation, or other possible violations or concerns. FERC’s anti-manipulation rule allows the agency to asses civil penalties (fines) on companies or individuals found in violation of the rule.

Additional Federal Regulations

The electric power industry must comply with literally hundreds of environmental regulations, including dozens of rules
created under the federal Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has primary responsibility for developing and enforcing most federal environmental regulations. Other federal agencies have broad
authority over electric company facilities crossing federal lands or affecting unique interests, such as
historical sites or endangered species.

Electric companies also are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Electric
companies are required to allow telecommunications companies to use electric poles for wires
and other facilities supporting wireless, fiber,
broadband, and other communications systems.
The structural integrity, safety, security, and
reliability of utility poles are fundamental
components of the nation’s critical energy
infrastructure—and the cost to companies for
maintaining these poles is considerable.

​The shareholder-owned segment of the electric power industry also must comply with the
many federal regulations that apply to all U.S.
businesses. These regulations include financial and accounting requirements from the
Securities and Exchange Commission and
Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and
anti-trust regulations from the Department of
Justice and Federal Trade Commission.